Friday, January 10, 2014

Christmas Gifts

I think I mentioned in a previous post (or two) that I spent from mid November until just last week, furiously stitching away on Christmas gifts!!

So here they are!!! I made lap quilts for all four "boys" (that would really be men). Last year I had made all the "girls" lap quilts (they were my guinea pigs for FMQ). Well, the boys loved using their quilts, so I made them their own!

This one is Tylers' made from four of his old Cinch shirts! He calls it The Cinch Quilt - but it was my first Bonnie Hunter pattern called Mountain Majesties.



Here's Rygh"s. It also had three of his old shirts, plus some brown shirts that my friend Janet O. found for me. I added a couple of other plaid fabrics for color variation. This one was Mike's favorite. He just went on and on about how pretty it was. It is a Bonnie Sullivan pattern called "Fireside".



Next is Bobby's. He loves RWB quilts, so of course I did one for him. It only has one of his old shirts, but this quilt was totally from my stash/scrap basket. Even the backing!! Bobby told me that of all his Christmas gifts, the quilt was his favorite! Not pattern - just hour glass blocks put together in a pinwheel pattern - just because that's how it looked best to me.



Now for Mike's. I didn't have it completely finished by Christmas. In fact, I only the the top and the backing pieced, and I put them in a box and wrapped them up so he would have a gift under the tree!! He was so surprised that I had that much done on it!! He had no idea that in all my stitching, I had included him!! But I finished quilting and binding it before our last cold spell (12 degrees F for our low on two mornings!), so he was glad to cuddle up under it and read or watch TV. Unlike Bobby's, I bought all the fabric for Mikes'. I found the backing on ebay for $3/yard! and then bought Connecting Threads Home Mirage Fat Quarter Bundle and pulled the pieces that coordinated with the backing.



Of course, I knew he would love another brand quilt, so I machine quilting the brands and bordered the brand blocks with scrappy FG - simple and quick!


For the FMQ, I outlined the brands and then crosshatched the backgrounds with diamonds. I then stitched in the ditch around the FG. For the borders I quilted a repeating star/scroll pattern that I designed. I trimmed the quilt and then bound it with the scraps from the backing. I may enter this one in our quilt show in April - if I can get it away from Mike! Should be warm enough by then!! LOL



For the girls I made quilted three pocket clutch purses. The pattern came from the Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler Spring/Summer 2013 issue. I only have photos of two of them, sorry. I think they turned our so cute, I'm making one for myself!!











23 comments:

Nancy said...

Wonderful quilts even more special because of the memories attached to them. Nice job!

Aimee said...

Oh my goodness! You have been busy! How fun for all the guys to get quilts this year. That's so nice what Bobby said about his :)
I love the brand quilt...what a fun idea!
Those purses are darling...I might have to look up that pattern.
Everything is beautiful Doniene! I bet it's a relief to have it all done :)

Vickie said...

Each quilt is so unique to the man you made it for... The brand quilt for Mike is just too cool ! I know he is so proud to cover up with his own brand.... men feel the same about their brand, as a woman feels about her wedding ring. The purses are super cute. They all know they got stitches of love ! Wonderful gifts.

Teresa in Music City said...

Oh Doniene!!! What treasures for your "boys"! My favorite is the one called Fireside - really cute pattern! What a lovely way to use up their shirts and make an heirloom for them. Those girl's clutches are pretty darn cute too.

Great work girlfriend!!! Are your fingers sewn to the bone? That's what my grandmother always use to say, "I've sewn my fingers to the bone!" The visual I had as a child when I first heard that was not pretty LOL!!!

Impera Magna said...

Wow! You were one busy girl, missie! I love all the quilts.. they're gorgeous... and I know they will be enjoyed and much appreciated. I know I would be... Love your quilting on the brand quilt... I aspire to be able to quilt like you!

Bonnie Hunter patterns are the best...

I also like the quilted clutches too... I'm planning on making little bags for gifts next Christmas and may just have to make a clutch or three!

Congratulations! Ya done good!

Denise :) said...

Doniene, what beautiful, lovely work you completed -- you had some ecstatic recipients, I know!! I love them all but I have to agree with Mike ... that Fireside pattern in the plaids is *marvelous*!!! :)

Aunt 'Reen said...

I'm always inspired when I see your beautiful quilts and projects!
Each and every one of these is wonderful and will hold great sentiment to all the lucky receiver's of these.

barbara woods said...

every one of your makes , quilts and purses were beautiful!!

Maureen said...

What beautiful quilts! I'm not surprised they were pleased. You sure did get a lot done in less than 2 months. Those purses are darling. I hope you have a chance now to take a breather! But not too long - I enjoy seeing what you stitch up!

Raewyn said...

Don't laugh but I just had to google *Cinch shirt*! Then I googled Bonnie Sullivan quilts, but I was right aftr that. LOVE THEM well done on such a mammoth task, I love them all. How neat to have shirts and such within the quilts and I KNOW Mike will be loving his Brands. Wish we had brands I could use! Love the starry-scrolly quilting you did on Mike's too. AND of course the girls would have been tickled pink to receive their clutches. Well Done you!!!

Kindred Quilts said...

Well no wonder we didn't "see" much of you at the end of last year... you were mighty busy! It's obvious that every quilt was a work of love for your boys. I'm sure they are as proud to own them as you are to have made them, as you should be! Hard to pick a favorite but I'm leaning towards Mountain Majesties!

Janet O. said...

Whew!! You have been a sewing fool (said with affection)! I am bowled over by all you created! What a wonderful Christmas for your family members--gifts from a loving heart and hands. Each quilt is a great "guy" quilt. You have done a marvelous job!
And what nice clutch purses for the girls.
I am so impressed, my friend!

Ruth said...

Lovely gifts for all! I really like your border quilting on the last lap quilt - very nice!

Cathy said...

So many beautiful projects. Love them all. Hugs

Doris Rice, The Quilting Queen said...

Beautiful quilts and lots of work. It is so nice to give them to those who love and appreciate them. It sounds like your "boys" do. Especially loved the Brand Quilt. The purses are super cute too!

NanaNor's said...

Hi Doniene, Girl I stand in awe of your talent!!!!! What wonderful Christmas presents-you are so creative. The purses are so cute too. I have not been stitching because I am supposed to be packing everyday and will get side tracked if I start a quilt. It is hard though. Sending you warm winter hugs.
Noreen

Carrie P. said...

what great guy quilts and bags. I really love the fabrics you used for each quilt especially that plaid quilt. One day I am going to make a plaid quilt.

Dirt Road Quilter said...

Oh sweet lady! you spoiled your family with the most amazing gifts! You must have sewn in your sleep in order to make everyone such lovely things, but I know that they will be treasured. You've got such a great eye for putting everything together and making such pretty quilts.

Mary said...

I really love the brand quilt, especially the way you quilted the borders. You have been very productive!

Janet said...

Wow you made some marvelous gifts!! I love the manly quilts - so cool that you included their shirts!

barbara woods said...

where are you?

libbyquilter said...

that is one lucky family that you have and you accomplished an amazing amount of quilting while creating their very special gifts~!!~
love those cute bags too~!

:-)
libbyQ

Dawn said...

What fantastic quilts. Wow, you for so much done, what fun! Sweet purses. I think you do need one!